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Sepp Blatter has always been insistent that football should control itself and not be run by politicians.
Yet the great irony is that he is the ultimate football politician, the man who could teach many a professional politician a trick or two.
England’s 2018 World Cup campaign team have been at great pains to highlight the progress that has been made since the dark days of football hooliganism that became known around the world as “the English disease”.
By David Owen
May 4 – FIFA President Joseph Blatter has sent a message of support to Jack Warner, in the wake of allegations he is waging a covert campaign to evict the CONCACAF President from world football’s governing body.
May 4 – Japan has dropped its bid to host the 2018 World Cup and instead concentrate on its campaign for the 2022 tournament, the country’s Football Association President Motoaki Inukai (pictured right) said.
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May 3 – Preparations for the 2014 World Cup have been slammed by FIFA, who have said that “it is amazing how Brazil is already late”.
May 3 – Construction workers who built South Africa’s stadiums for the 2010 World Cup were today given free tickets by the organisers to watch the matches.
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By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
May 3 – Jack Warner (pictured), the vice-president of FIFA, has accused British investigative journalist Andrew Jennings of being part of a plot by the Trinidad and Tobago Government to smear his name ahead of the country’s General Election on May 24.
May 3 – A new row that could threaten Euro 2012 has erupted after Poland’s Ministry of Finance said that it wants to renegotiate its agreement with UEFA exempting them from taxes during the tournament.
May 2 – Former South Korean national team coach Guus Hiddink and FIFA vice-president President Chung Mong-Joon have pledged to cooperate on their nation’s respective bids to host the 2018 and 2022 World Cup competitions.
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
May 2 – A ban on Iran’s women’s team competing in the inaugural Summer Youth Olympic Games in Singapore later this year has been lifted after a new set of clothing that complied with the Islamic dress code was proposed to FIFA, it has been claimed.
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May 2 – Plymouth Argyle’s relegation from the Championship will not affect plans to redevelop its Home Park stadium in time to host matches if England are chosen to host the World Cup in 2018, club officials promised today.
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
May 2 – FIFA vice-president Jack Warner has been accused by 13 Trinidad and Tobago players, including Sunderland striker Kenwyne Jones (pictured) and former West Ham United goalkeeper Shaka Hislop, of trying to mislead the public about a row over unpaid bonuses from the 2006 World Cup.
By Andrew Warshaw
May 1 – Organisers of an established anti-corruption conference have accused FIFA of scare-mongering tactics over a session to be given by controversial British investigative journalist Andrew Jennings (pictured).
May 1 – Everton midfield player Tim Cahill (pictured) has claimed that Australia offers FIFA an “exceptional” opportunity if they are chosen to host the 2018 or 2022 World Cup.
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
April 30 – Australia’s bid to host the 2018 or 2022 World Cup has hit a major barrier which could seriously undermine it after it was reported Australian rules officials are demanding up to $100 million (£61 million) to allow them to use the iconic-Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).